Page 9 of The Bachelor

“To drag her annoying butt out of the bathroom and give her this ugly-ass purse. Why do you care?” Ben sneered at him.

For being hobbit size, the guy had a lot of fucking nerve, Shane had to say. “Just give me the purse. She doesn’t want to see you.”

“I’m not giving her purse to a total stranger.”

“Then I’ll go get her. You wait here.” Shane didn’t wait for an answer. He thought about Avery dating this guy and couldn’t picture it. At all. She seemed so sweet and cute. This dude had little-man syndrome, and Shane found it hard to believe that he’d managed to find a woman willing to cheat with him. The personality just wasn’t there as far as he could tell. And the guy didn’t need to be such a prick, especially given the circumstances. He should feel guilty, not smug.

He approached the restroom right as Avery yanked the door open and came charging out, her face determined, strides confident. She plowed right into him. The first thing Shane noticed was how sweet she smelled. Like flowers and country air. It was like she’d infused Kentucky into her red hair and wore it like a perfume. He felt an overwhelming sense of melancholy roll over him. What the fuck? He grabbed her arms to steady her.

“Oh!” She jumped back, stumbling a little. “Sorry.”

“You okay?” he asked, keeping his hands on her thin arms. She was petite, but she was fit. Those arms held the muscles of someone who rode her horse daily, or who worked in the yard. She felt stronger than he expected. Her size and her predicament made her seem more fragile than she probably was.

He felt it again, that inappropriate flicker of lust that he had absolutely zero business feeling. Damn dick didn’t seem to understand timing. But what man hadn’t thought that a million times in his life?

She opened her mouth to speak, but instead just bit her bottom lip, her perfectly straight white teeth sinking into the tender cherry red flesh, turning it white. Shane wanted to take that lip between his own teeth. Tease it, bite it, suck it, kiss it. He was distracted, everything in him shifting into the oddest combination of desire and protectiveness. She spoke, but he didn’t hear a word, too busy staring at her mouth.

It wasn’t until her eyes darted to the space behind him that he remembered what the hell he was supposed to be doing. He squeezed her arms gently. “Ben’s here.”

Her hand fluttered up to the neckline of her dress. “Damn. I mean, that’s good. But damn.”

“I can leave you alone with him or go with you for backup. Your choice.” He really wanted to go with her, but it was frankly none of his business.

She tugged again at her dress, shifting the neck so he could see more of her creamy, ivory flesh. There was no cleavage. It was inches higher than that would be, and if anything, that made her even more tantalizing. Somewhere, underneath that virginal white lace, was a woman’s body, and he found the idea incredibly enticing. He cleared his throat and forced his eyes up to hers.

“The mature thing to do would be to go alone,” she said.

“The mature thing to do would also be to not punch him in the face, but I fully support you doing that.” The guy was a tool.

Avery cracked a smile. “That does sound appealing. Okay, let’s make this quick. I don’t want to hash out anything with him. There is nothing to discuss. I just want my purse.”

“Good call.” In his book, you cheat, it’s done. Nothing to discuss.

Avery turned and started down the short hall back to the dining area but Ben was already there, blocking them from moving back to the table. She held out her hand to her former boyfriend. “Purse, please.” Her voice was cold and stoic.

Ben handed it to her with a scowl. “You’re welcome. I did drive all the way back here, you know, when you’re the ditz who forgot it in the first place.”

Avery bristled. “I’m not thanking you for bringing me my purse when I forgot it because I was too busy discovering you’ve had sex with at least three other women.”

Three? What a dick. Shane stood there, feeling slightly awkward that he was overhearing something so personal, but mostly just feeling pissed on her behalf.

Ben’s cheeks flushed pink. His pimply, round, shiny cheeks. Shane couldn’t even imagine what Avery had seen in this guy. There must have been slim pickings in her hometown.

“One, you’re jumping to insane conclusions,” Ben said. “Two, it’s not my fault if women are interested in me.”

That made Shane laugh out loud. He couldn’t help it. He didn’t mean to. But the snort just flew out. Ben was nuts if he thought women were beating down his proverbial door to get a piece of him. He was tiny and mean—not generally qualities women are looking for in a lover.

“What the fuck are you laughing at?” Ben asked, glaring at him.

“Ben, don’t,” Avery said, holding her hand up as Ben charged forward.

Shane was just further amused. “What? Are you going to hit me? Go for it, you little prick.” He really shouldn’t egg the guy on, but come on. What was Ben so pissed about? He was the one who had been getting all the ass on the side. He had no right to be angry at Avery.

“Mind your own fucking business,” Ben said. “We don’t even know you.”

“I don’t want to know you,” Shane said. “But I’m not leaving Avery alone here.”

Ben turned to Avery in disbelief. “Who is this idiot?” he asked her. “Come on.” He grabbed Avery’s arm and yanked her.

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